Genome-Wide Exploration of the OpportunisticProvidencia stuartiiUnveils the Novel Genetic Interactions with the Virulence Gene of Diarrheal Pathogens

Abstract

AbstractDiarrhea typically indicates an intestinal disorder, which can occur from viruses, parasites or bacterial infection. Along with the common diarrhea-causing pathogens, opportunistic bacteria may also play a role in the etiology of diarrheal disease. One of the opportunist’s bacteria that can cause diarrhea in both children and adults isProvidencia stuartii. Therefore, the goal of this study is to explore the genetic mechanism of the opportunisticP. stuartiiin microbial interactions with common diarrheal pathogens. Hence,P. stuartiiwas identified by utilizing the morphological observation and molecular techniques. Afterwards, the entire genome ofP. stuartiiwas sequenced, assembled and annotated to explore the genomic insights. In addition, the virulence genes of 100 whole genome sequences from ten prevalent diarrhea-causing bacteria were identified and prioritized. Finally, the system biology approach was used to predict the protein-protein interaction network betweenP. stuartiiand the virulence genes. The results of the present study suggests that complete genome sequencing of this bacteria contains 4011 proteins, which are crucial for this bacterium to survive. Additionally, 16 gene clusters provide 207 interacting genes that could interact with biological and molecular function, subcellular localization and pathway. The microbial interaction accompanying the virulence gene was found in all 10 diarrhea-causing bacteria exceptClostridium difficile. These findings of this study could aid in the exploration ofProvidencia stuartiias the major causative agent of diarrhea. Additionally, the pathophysiology of diarrhea can be investigated using the microbial interactions betweenP. stuartiiand the typical diarrheal bacteria. The results of this study may therefore be used to determine the most effective therapeutic targets for the development of medications to treat diarrhea.